School board urges governor to take action

Linda Saholt

News Review Correspondent

The Sierra Sands Unified School District’s Board of Education has approved a resolution that will be sent to California Gov. Jerry Brown, other Kern County Schools and the California School Board Association.

The resolution urges the governor to implement his planned increase in per-student funding for the first time in more than five years, to allow greater local control of state education funding and to increase per-student funding at least up to the national average.

Meeting on Feb. 21, the SSUSD board also accepted the 2011-2012 audit, considered various personnel matters, approved contracts for telecommunication services and more.

According to Elaine Jansen, chief financial officer for the district, the audit found no deficiencies. “We’ve complied in all respects,” said Jansen.

A highlight was the presentation of a $1,000 scholarship by Jeremy Cogan, representing the scholarship foundation at Caldwell Flores Winters, Inc., to Charles Sarrett, an outstanding student at Mesquite High School.

Principal Shirley Kennedy made a brief speech praising Sarrett’s achievements. His goal is to earn a college degree in business administration, then pursue his own music business.

In the opening salvo of the annual collective bargaining efforts, SSUSD and the Desert Area Teach-ers Association have exchanged opening offers.

The school board meeting will be March 14, at 7 p.m. at Ridgecrest City Council Chambers. The board meetings are open to the public, and the agendas can be found at www.ssusd.org.